“That’s a polite way of saying my aunt was a bitch.I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but she made my childhood miserable.Once I turned twenty-one, control reverted to me.After that, I didn’t speak to her again, which is sad.She was my only remaining family.”
London’s face softened, and she embraced Maia in a heartfelt hug.When she drew back, tears blurred her vision.“With Henry, you’ll have a happy family and a supportive community.I don’t have any family left either, but I don’t feel the lack now.”She grinned.“I love my life.Let’s see your wardrobe, then hit the shops.”
Maia and London arrived back from Dunedin early afternoon.As she’d suspected, she hadn’t found a piece of usable clothing.The trespasser had destroyed everything he or she could find.They’d had a monster tantrum and left days of work to clear the mess.She’d be busy and wouldn’t have time to think between cleaning, rugby, and writing.
“Let me set up your computer,” London said over coffee once they’d unloaded the car.“Give me a list of the software you urgently need, and I’ll get started.If you trust me with your passwords, I can get everything done quickly.”
Maia grabbed a notebook from her purse and wrote her password for her password safe.She added her cloud name and jotted down the software she required to write.“Those are the main ones.You’ll find my passwords in the online safe.”
“Easy,” London said with a smile.
“How much do you charge?I didn’t ask.”
“Don’t worry about that.You get the family rate, the same as Megan.”
A clatter at the door announced Levi’s arrival home from school.Accompanied by a friend, Levi entered the room, followed by Jacey.
“Are we too late?”Levi demanded.“Have you finished your training run?”
Maia checked her watch.“In about half an hour, after I’ve unpacked my shopping.”
“Can we come with you?”Levi asked.
Doubt crept into Maia, and she glanced askance at Jacey.
“As long as Maia agrees and you can keep pace with her,” he said.“Her training is important and part of her job.You have to be serious and focused.No tearing off to investigate interesting noises or smells.”
“We won’t do that, Mr.Jacey,” Levi’s friend said.
“No,” Levi agreed.“We want to get faster and play rugby like Maia.”
Maia figured if the two boys lagged, she’d do a shorter run than usual.It wouldn’t matter for once.She had team training on Tuesday, and a partial rest day wouldn’t hurt.“I thought I’d drive down to the rugby grounds and do laps and interval training today, along with some warmup exercises Isabella taught me.Is that okay?”
“Yes!”Levi shouted.
His friend beamed.“Yes!”
“All right, boys.Change into your running gear and come back straight away so you don’t hold up Maia,” Jacey said.
“That’s my cue to leave,” London said.“I much prefer my job.You’ll have to get Henry to show you the obstacle course.Yesterday’s council meeting discussed having a fundraiser where everyone dresses in costumes and runs the course.Some people got excited.”
Maia laughed.“Thank you for helping me today and volunteering to set up my laptop.”
London waved a hand in dismissal.“Not a problem.”
“Jacey, are you sure the boys will be okay with me?What if… What if something happens to them because of me?”
Jacey smiled.“They’ll be fine.The rugby field is open ground, and you’ll notice anyone lurking.The kids will spot strangers.Just make sure you take your phone.If anything worries you, call Laura or me.”
A howl rang through the air, followed by a doggish-sounding yip, and Jacey shrugged ruefully.“Those two are not quiet.If anything, you’re doing me a favor by tiring them out.That way, we might manage a movie after dinner instead of active games outside.”
“I’ll change and meet the kids back here.Won’t be long.”
Jacey had sounded unconcerned, so she’d take her cue from him.
Chapter 28
ToMaia’srelief,andeveryone else’s, the following week remained calm and calamity-free, although no one had confessed to stealing her clothes and locking her in the changing room.If all went well this coming weekend, she’d play an entire game.It was an away game, and the team was catching an early morning flight to Auckland.
